Abstract
Miniaturized Raman spectrometers present a unique tool for fast and non-destructive analyses of gemstones on works of art. Their ability to determine the character of gemstones (including fake detection) in situ is a major advantage since some precious artefacts cannot be moved for analysis in a laboratory.
With ongoing advances in technology and miniaturization, the latest generation of miniaturized Raman spectrometers provides Raman data of a very good quality, even when compared to the data obtained from full-fledged Raman benchtop instruments. Examples of these improvements include the ability to record spectra over a wide spectral range or suppression of laser-induced fluorescence in the samples of minerals.
The access to better quality data is important, for example, for more accurate provenance studies of gemstones. Fast and unambiguous identification of gemstones and glass substitutes adorning religious artefacts such as the 18th century Ring Monstrance and the 19th century silver Torah shield presented here, illustrate how this modern analytical technique used in situ can provide missing or incomplete information about the gemstones.
This type of new data is also invaluable to historians or custodians in order to better understand and describe works of art.